by Guy Page

Multiple hoax bomb threats prompted police responses Saturday afternoon in both White River Junction and West Lebanon, New Hampshire, after threatening emails targeted local businesses and residents, local police reported via the Newport Dispatch. 

The Hartford Police Department, with assistance from the Vermont State Police, is investigating the threats that were sent to the Barrette Center for the Arts / Northern Stage and Planned Parenthood in White River Junction, and the Target store in West Lebanon.

The threats also mentioned the homes of four private individuals. Authorities received the emails around 12:55 p.m., which claimed bombs had been planted and would soon be detonated.

Officers responded to the locations, investigated, and confirmed there were no explosives or active threats present.

Man carrying rifle, knife on Jan. 6 prompts strong police response – Police responded Saturday afternoon, January 6 to reports of a man carrying a rifle and a large knife in the residential area of Elm Street in Derby Line, the Vermont State Police via the Newport Dispatch reported.

At the time of the incident, the nearby Derby Elementary School was hosting a basketball game, with additional people arriving for a subsequent game. As a precaution, troopers moved to the school, and a decision was made to place the facility in lockout while a search for the individual was conducted.

By about 2:10 p.m., law enforcement officers located and identified a man on Elm Street who matched the description. The man was found to be carrying a bolt action-style rifle, which was unloaded, and he cooperated fully with police. After an interview, it was determined that no crime had been committed, and there was no threat to the public.

Troopers remained at the school to provide security until the facility was vacated and the individual in question departed the area.

A noticeable presence of troopers and deputies was maintained throughout the incident to ensure public safety.

Furlough escape suspect threatens to kill cop – A Putney man was arrested Saturday, January 6 after St. Johnsbury police responded to a call at the local Maplewoods convenience store, according to police reports via the Newport Dispatch.

Officers took Jude C. Mischke, 55, into custody at the Maplefields store where he was found to have an active arrest warrant for furlough escape. He faced additional charges for unlawful trespass and aggravated disorderly conduct.

During the incident, Mischke allegedly threatened to kill the arresting officer, which resulted in the disorderly conduct charge. He was lodged at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility (NERCF) on his warrant. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 12 to answer to the new charges.

Domestic assault arrest in Colchester – A Richmond man was arrested Saturday after a domestic assault in Colchester that involved an unlawful discharge of a firearm. 

At 12:50 PM January 6, Colchester Police officers responded to a residence on Porters Point Road home for a 911 report of a female that had been assaulted by a male who then fled the area on foot.

Officers found that one of the involved parties had discharged a firearm outside of the residence. A child was also reported to have sustained a minor injury during the alleged assault of the female.

With help from Burlington police, Colchester PD found and arrested 20-year-old Joshua Genalski of Richmond for aggravated domestic assault in the first degree, cruelty to a child, and offense committed in the presence of a child. A judge ordered Genalski to be held without bail, and he was lodged at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in Saint Albans.

Swastika painted on Brattleboro mural – Brattleboro Police Department is currently investigating a series of vandalism cases, including the appearance of hate symbols on public properties.

The first incident was reported on Dec. 23 when a swastika was discovered spray-painted on a mural in the Harmony Lot and on another location on Estey Street.

Following this, on Jan. 5, police received another report of similar vandalism at the gazebo on Elliot Street. As of Saturday, Jan. 6, no suspects have been apprehended in connection with the vandalism.